The Wide World of Dirt

HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS?!?!?!?

My lord, what an absolutely satisfying win. I have not been that truly entertained by the Birds since 2022.

Two things can be true: the Eagles are (possibly) really good AND the Cowboys can be really bad. Both were true this Sunday.

After three 12-win seasons, it’s crazy that the Cowboys only had one (1) playoff win against the 8-9 Buccaneers to show for it. The Dallas Cowboys are truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Better yet, they have to start a rebuild with the highest-paid player in history (that also happens to be a colossal playoff choke artist) on injured reserve while their best defensive player is sick to his stomach about poor coaching.

I’ve said it once; I’ll say it again: I hope Jerry Jones has a clean bill of health until the end of time.

This is the version of the Cowboys that I know best. I have never lived in a world in which the Cowboys even came close to their 90s glory.

Frankly, where is the tangible proof they will return to glory in the near future, or with Dak Prescott? Time to reap what you sow, Dallas. America thanks you.

Besides two pretty annoying turnovers (that led to a total three (3) points), Jalen Hurts vaulted himself into the MVP conversation once again.

Hurts’ statline read like this: 14/20 for 202 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception alongside 7 carries for 56 yards and 2 TDs with a fumble.

According to Bleeding Green Nation’s Brandon Lee Gowton, “Jalen Hurts has 1+ rushing TD in four straight games, which is tied for the second-longest streak ever by an Eagles QB, trailing only Michael Vick in 2010 (5, including playoffs).”

That’s pretty damn good! He truly has gotten back to that 2022 form, which was a from that resulted in Hurts placing runner-up for the MVP award as well as an AP All-Pro second-team award.

If we’re being honest, Hurts might have surpassed that level.

While I can’t guarantee that he will end the year playing at that level or match that level of media recognition (because there have been some really good QBs playing), Hurts should get more credit for Philly’s success.

A lot of frustration from last year was Hurts not protecting the football. While those issues cropped up again Sunday, he rallied and played great.

Jalen Hurts is a difference maker, and he deserves that respect.

The Eagles’ defense has really hit their stride, which could become an issue for opposing teams.

The Eagles’ offense gets more attention due to the sheer amount of firepower they have accumulated, but the defense has been arguably just as impressive.

Philly held the Dallas offense to 146 yards.

Yes, they played against Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, but that is still an extremely impressive feat. They also forced five turnovers.

The defensive unit started the year struggling to take the ball away but now seemed to have found a good mix to do so.

Zack Baun has been a revelation at the linebacker spot. If I had to hand out the award for Eagles’ defensive MVP, Baun would be my pick.

I have not seen Eagles’ linebackers play this well in my life, not even in the 2017 Super Bowl year.

What a signing by Howie Roseman. I really hope they get an extension done for the former Saint; he’s been worth so much more than the 1-year deal he signed. Vic Fangio has been just what this crop of young talent needed.

It’s objectively hilarious that Jerry World has a Sun problem considering how expensive that stadium is.

I talked with a friend of mine who’s a Cowboys fan, and he said that it has been an issue for as long as AT&T Stadium has hosted them.

Since we see a lot of primetime games there, I never really noticed, but it is a big issue. The Jerry sound bites had me rolling, though.

Who would have thought that an Eagles-Commanders game would be more important than an Eagles-Cowboys game?

I am nervous about this game.

Washington played us extremely close over the past few seasons; they even ended our undefeated streak in 2022 with Taylor Heinecke and played us extremely close with Sam Howell in both games last year.

Now, they have NFL offensive rookie of the year-favorite and MVP-candidate Jayden Daniels behind center.

It will be a true test for this defense to see if they really are coming along to be a truly stout unit.

This game will also be for sole possession of first place in the NFC East, adding a little more flavor to this divisional showdown.

Oh, and have I mentioned it’s a short week of preparation for both teams since it’s on Thursday Night?

It will be the first game in a minute that I am genuinely anxious to watch. It won’t be easy, but the audience will learn a lot about both teams.

Hopefully, everything I have written about the Eagles comes true. Should be fun!

Perhaps we have a vintage Jalen Hurts performance that firmly plants his name into the MVP conversation, meaning the national audience can stop denying how good he is?

That’d be nice, but I think Saquon Barkley will steal the spotlight for the Birds.

The Quadfather wasn’t asked to do much against Dallas, but with Washington having a poor run defense, this matchup presents the opportunity for a Saquon Barkley masterclass. Sign me up!

Go Birds! 

(Top Photo Credit: Tim Heitman/Imagn Images)